Kovy could be an interesting JVR replacement on a short term contract.

If he put up comparable numbers in comparable ice deployment he would be able to sign a big contract bump, similar to Radulov.

Having Matthews, Nylander, Marner or Kadri on the ice with him at all times could be inviting.

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If he were thinking like that, I think having Seguin, Benn, Radulov, Klingberg, Heiskanen (maybe bounce back Spezza) would be more inviting to play with. Most of them have at least scored 70p in a season

Who knows... he was coasting the last 5 yrs in the KHL. He was getting injections during the 2012 cup run for a bad back. He'll be getting checked for the first time in half a decade I'm not sure anyone knows how he's gonna be.

Kovalchuk Watch
As TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported earlier this week, Ilya Kovalchuk's new agent JP Barry has opened discussions with teams for his client's return to the NHL.Matt Larkin of The Hockey News lists the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins as the top five candidates to land Kovalchuk this off-season.

Bruins cap situation means they have a lot of money this year and then McAvoy, Carlo, Donato, and more need new contracts. A one year deal to play with Marchand and Bergeron to boost his value for a multiyear deal?